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Stalking after Divorce: You Don’t Have Put Up With It

Divorce is not just about you, but also about your former spouse. While you can move on with your life, the other person may still have lingering feelings or unsettled issues. More so, if your ex-spouse is not doing as well as you are.

After the divorce, many complain their ex-spouse continues to keep track of their activities and communicate unnecessarily – in other words, stalking. The methods vary but the effects are similar to victims.

A Matter of Control

In 2012, the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that 4.1% of women and 2.2% of men became victims of stalking. The stalker’s profiles range from ex-spouses to complete strangers. The respondents of the survey also admit they feel their stalkers might compromise their safety and harm them.

In a Huffington Post article “When Your Ex Becomes Your Stalker”, the writer said that stalking is about control. If your stalker has access to your social media accounts, know your whereabouts and initiate communication with you in an unwanted manner, these may feel constricting. At times, this behaviour can become threatening and dangerous for you and your loved ones.

Laws on Stalking

Stalking is under “family violence” behaviours, as stated in section 4AB of the Family Law Act of 1975. This provision may need thorough discussion with family law lawyers. Brisbane authorities, along with other cities adopting extensive laws against stalking, consider this a criminal offence as it may indicate domestic violence in the future.

You can make the first move by reporting any details of stalking to the authorities. You may ask lawyers for assistance when pressing charges. The provision for the said section may give you the means to stop being the victim of this crime.

There is nothing wrong with feeling sympathy for your estranged spouse, but your welfare and your family’s should count as your top priority.